**************************************************************
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Institute for Biomolecular Science
University of South Florida
The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology
The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology is
sponsored by the Institute for Biomolecular Science at the University of
South Florida. Currently, comprising twenty seven faculty from the Colleges
of Arts and Sciences and Medicine, the program offers a course of study
leading to the award of the Ph.D. degree in Biology, Chemistry or Medical
Sciences with a specialization in Cellular and Molecular Biology. The
program combines a challenging and flexible academic curriculum with
advanced research training in a wide variety of areas of cellular and
molecular biology.
Curriculum
The program is designed to provide students with all the necessary skills
required for a successful professional career.
Structured courses, both recommended and elective, provide students with a
central foundation of knowledge in cellular and molecular biology while
small group tutorials provide an interactive setting emphasizing more
advanced concepts. Laboratory rotations provide exposure to the variety of
research projects currently being pursued by program faculty. Seminar
programs offer students the opportunity to interact with nationally and
internationally recognized scientists. The Faculty Lecture and Workshop
Program exposes students to the research programs of other Institute
members. Journal clubs provide a format for students to critically examine
the current literature.
Formal coursework is completed during the first two years of the program
with the remainder of the time devoted to dissertation research.
The program places considerable emphasis upon the development of the
student's written and oral communication skills.
Research Opportunities
The program faculty have well-equipped and modern research laboratories
located at USF and several affiliated research facilities. Program faculty
have been highly successful in securing extramural grant support that
provides students with an outstanding environment for graduate study.
Research opportunities are available in a wide range of areas of cellular
and molecular biology including: protein structure and function, gene
regulation, mechanisms of signal transduction, the roles of specific
proteins in various biosynthetic pathways, neurochemistry and associated
disorders, transgenic models of disease, host-virus interactions and
molecular immunology. Individual program faculty and their specific research
interests are listed below.
Faculty and their Research
Matthew J. Androlewicz: MHC class I antigen processing.
Michael J. Barber; Structure and function of metalloenzymes and flavoproteins.
George Blanck; Major histocompatibility gene regulation.
Andrew C. Cannons; Regulation of nitrate reductase.
Bruce J. Cochrane; Genetics and environmental toxicology.
My Lien Dao; Molecular biology of dental caries.
Noorbibi K. Day; Mechanisms of Immunosuppression by retroviral peptides.
Julie Y. Djeu; Natural killer cells, cytokines.
Karen E. Duff; Transgenics and Alzheimer's disease.
Duane C. Eichler; Mechanisms of RNA processing.
Gloria C. Ferreira; Mechanism of heme biosynthesis.
Robert A. Good; Cellular engineering using bone marrow and stem cell
preparations.
Kendall M. Gray; Bacterial communication and gene regulation.
John A. Hardy; Alzheimer's disease.
R. Kennedy Keller; Regulation of glycoprotein and isoprenoid biosynthesis.
Daniel V. Lim; Pathogenic and molecular microbiology.
Gary W. Litman; Evolution and developmental control of immunoglobulin genes.
Peter G. Medveczky; Molecular biology of DNA viruses.
David G. Morgan; Molecular and anatomical changes during brain aging.
Michael J. Mullan; Molecular genetics of neuro-psychiatric disorders.
Peter J. Neame; Proteoglycan structure and function.
Gene C. Ness; Cholesterol homeostasis.
Robert L. Potter; Collagen structure.
Melissa B. Rogers; Retinoids and cell differentiation.
Mary Jane Saunders; Plant cell structure.
Larry P. Solomonson; Nitrate assimilation, regulation of nitric oxide synthase.
Steven C. Specter; Antiviral and immunomodulatory substances and
immunodeficiency.
Lynn Wecker; Neuropharmacology/neurochemistry.
Requirements for Admission
Applications for admission to the Interdisciplinary program are reviewed by
the Admissions and Recruitment Committee and must be completed by March 15
of the academic year preceding admission. Prospective applicants are
required to provide:
A cover letter that addresses the applicant's interest in the program,
describes any previous research experience and outlines future career goals.
Three letters of evaluation describing the applicant's past academic
performance and suitability for the program.
Evidence of a Graduate Record Examination score of 1250 or greater.
Evidence of the award of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
in a discipline related to cellular and molecular biology with an overall
Grade Point Average of 3.4 or better.
Evidence of TOEFL scores of 600 and/or a TSE score of 300 for international
students for whom English is not their native language.
One or more of these requirements may be waived in exceptional
circumstances and at the discretion of the committee. Successful applicants
will be notified of the committee's decision by April 1.
Stipends
Stipends for entering full-time graduate students are currently $15,000 per
year. In addition, partial tuition waivers (up to 9 credit hours/semester)
are provided to all full-time students enrolled in the program.
The University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is a comprehensive metropolitan institution
with an enrollment of approximately 35,000 students at the undergraduate and
graduate levels. USF is one of the nine universities in the State University
System of Florida and consists of a main and four regional campuses. The
main campus is located on 100 acres northeast of downtown Tampa.
The College of Arts and Sciences
The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program currently features faculty from the
Departments of Biology and Chemistry within the College of Arts and Sciences.
The College of Medicine
The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program currently involves faculty from the
Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Microbiology and
Immunology and Pharmacology and Therapeutics within the College of Medicine.
The Institute for Biomolecular Science
The IBS was established in 1989 to foster collaborative research and
encourage graduate education in cellular and molecular biology. The
Institute comprises over 70 members from various colleges within the
University of South Florida and affiliated research facilities.
The Greater Tampa Area
The University is located at the northeast boundary of the city of Tampa on
Florida's West coast. The Tampa Bay metropolitan area, which includes St.
Petersburg and Clearwater, has a population of nearly 2 million. The area is
known as a financial center, major seaport and recreational center. Easy
access is available to Gulf coast beaches and major attractions in central
Florida.
Additional Information
Additional information concerning the IBS Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in
Cellular and Molecular Biology and the application procedure can be
obtained from:
IP2CMB Director
Institute for Biomolecular Science
University of South Florida LIF 136
4202 East Fowler Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33620-5150
Phone: (813) 974-2392
Fax: (813) 974-1614
E-mail: ibs at chuma.cas.usf.edu
WWW http://nick.med.usf.edu/ip2cmb/ip2cmb.html
**************************************************************